Author/Authors :
Foroughi, Ali Akbar Department of Clinical Psychology- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Masjedi Arani, Abbas Department of Clinical Psychology- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Bakhtyari, Maryam Department of Clinical Psychology- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Mohammadi, Abolfazl Department of of Psychiatry - Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) , Habibi, Mojtaba Department of Family Therapy - Family Research Institute - Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran
Abstract :
Introduction: According to Emotion Dysregulation Model (EDM), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
symptoms may be maintained by emotional hyperarousal, experience of intense emotion, poorer
understanding of emotions, negative attitudes about emotions, and maladaptive emotion regulation and
management. Based on the EDM, Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) is a mechanism-targeted intervention
that cultivates emotion regulation skills.
Methods: Four men with generalized anxiety disorder were selected from counseling center of University of
Tehran and Talieh Mehr clinic. Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV)
were used to diagnose GAD and other disorders. Subjects were selected using purposeful sampling; multiple
baseline experimental single case studies were used as the method of the present study. The treatment
program was carried out for 14 weekly sessions (14-session version), with a follow-up period of 2 months
subsequent to treatment termination. Subjects completed the Pennsylvania State Worry Questionnaire
(PSWQ), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), GAD-7, The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Five Facet
Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) in the baseline, during treatment (PSWQ and BAI in sessions of 1, 3, 6,
9, 12, 14; ERQ and FFMQ in pre, mid and post treatment; GAD-7 in pre and post treatment), post-treatment
and follow-up period.
Results: The patients’ demonstrated distinct improvements in symptoms severity (i.e., worry, anxiety and
GAD criteria in GAD-7), and in model-related outcomes including mindful attendance/acceptance and
cognitive reappraisal. Patients maintained gains across the two-month follow-up period. In addition, ERT
was very well tolerated by patients and all the patients completed there sessions.
Conclusion: Results of present study provide additional evidence for the efficacy of the ERT in the
treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and additional support for the role of emotion
dysregulation in the onset, maintenance, and treatment of GAD.
